as she passes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as she passes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with someone moving by or through a particular place. Example: "The crowd fell silent as she passes, captivated by her presence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Whisk, whisk, whisk, go their heads as she passes by.

The New Yorker

An old lady dances in the street as she passes.

The Guardian - Travel

As she passes through the empty house, Clione thinks: Who will listen to him?

The New Yorker

Students say hello as she passes them by in the corridor, as if on Sesame Street.

The Guardian - Film

Sure enough, as she passes, she nods and drops a dollar in his case.

The New York Times

Life Tastes Good, beams the sign as she passes underneath it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Brigid sighed as she passed him.

The New Yorker

"Hey, thanks so much," she said as she passed.

The New York Times

She was clutching the bouquet as she passed Sarah Christie.

The New York Times

Lady Elaine left a footprint as she passed through.

The New York Times

Laurel smiled at the couple as she passed.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as she passes" to create a sense of simultaneous action, like describing someone's reaction to a person moving by. For example: "People turned to stare at her as she passes by."

Common error

Avoid using "as she passes" when you simply mean someone went somewhere. "As she passes" implies simultaneous action and shouldn't be used as a simple replacement for phrases like "she went by" or "she visited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as she passes" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something occurs. It introduces a simultaneous action that happens during the subject's movement. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as she passes" is a versatile phrase serving as an adverbial clause of time, describing simultaneous actions. It enjoys broad usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and very common. When using "as she passes", ensure it clearly conveys a simultaneous action and isn't misused as a simple substitute for phrases indicating movement or location. Remember to consider alternative phrases such as "while she goes by" or "when she walks past" to achieve the specific nuance you desire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while she goes by

Replaces "passes" with "goes by", emphasizing the action of moving past.

when she walks past

Substitutes "as" with "when" and "passes" with "walks past", changing the conjunction and verb.

as she moves along

Replaces "passes" with "moves along", focusing on the continuous motion.

as she goes onward

Substitutes "passes" with "goes onward", highlighting forward progression.

during her passing

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, altering the grammatical structure.

as she traverses

Replaces "passes" with "traverses", using a more formal verb.

while in transit

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the state of being in motion.

as she proceeds

Replaces "passes" with "proceeds", emphasizing a deliberate movement forward.

as she advances

Replaces "passes" with "advances", highlighting a forward movement, often with purpose.

during her transit

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase indicating the period of moving across something.

FAQs

How can I use "as she passes" in a sentence?

The phrase "as she passes" describes an action happening at the same time that someone is moving by. For example, "The crowd grew silent "as she passes" the reviewing stand."

What are some alternatives to "as she passes"?

You can use alternatives such as "while she goes by", "when she walks past", or "as she moves along" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "as she passes by" redundant?

While "passes" already implies movement, "as she passes by" is commonly used and not strictly redundant. The addition of "by" can emphasize the act of moving past a specific point or location.

How formal is the phrase "as she passes"?

The phrase "as she passes" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.